Flourish Forum

General Categories => Tools & Supplies => Topic started by: Lauren.aev on August 06, 2020, 06:40:43 PM

Title: Normal for mold to develop quickly in pearl-ex?
Post by: Lauren.aev on August 06, 2020, 06:40:43 PM
Hi everyone! I've just recently picked up some pearl-ex pigments to add to my metallic collection (can you ever have to many?). They are so beautiful! I mixed up about 6 small jars of pearl-ex a week ago, and was sad to discover today that 3 of the jars already have mold in them. Is it common for pearl ex with gum arabic to mold so quickly? I haven't had this issue with gouache and gum arabic ever, even when kept in a dinky dip.
Am I better to mix just the tiniest amount of pearl-ex, say just enough for the days work? Normally I like to fill up a jar that will last a little while, as I love to play with color mixing, but I can change my ways.

I love the pretty pearl-ex so much, and hate to waste and of it! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :)
Title: Re: Normal for mold to develop quickly in pearl-ex?
Post by: FlowerCityLetters on August 07, 2020, 10:18:53 AM
Hmm, that's odd in my experience. I've had jars mixed up for months and they haven't developed mold. However, I had one experience where one container developed mold in a few days. There must have been contamination at some point along the way, but I couldn't figure out which step. For the most part though, if I use clean jars, water, and mixing utensils, mold doesn't develop for me. Smaller jars might be better just for the sake of saving it if it happens to mold (but I like mixing in bigger batches too).
Title: Re: Normal for mold to develop quickly in pearl-ex?
Post by: Lauren.aev on August 07, 2020, 10:52:50 AM
Thanks for your feedback! You know what - it was a new set of jars and in my excitement I forgot to wash them before mixing the pearl ex. It's probably just as simple as jars that weren't prepped and there was some sort of contamination. Good reminder to be diligent!
Thanks again for your help!
Title: Re: Normal for mold to develop quickly in pearl-ex?
Post by: Estefa on August 10, 2020, 06:16:16 PM
I also rarely had problems with that – I think only one time, so I guess it was the unwashed jars ;).